Take My Breath Away

'A Certificate of Title? Why did Carlos give me this?' Debbie pondered.

She opened the certificate. It said she was the owner of some property on the seventh floor of Building 2 of Champs Bay Apartments. That was where she lived. So it meant that she owned her apartment now.

When did Carlos buy it? Why didn't he say anything? Didn't she have to be there when the title to the apartment was transferred to her?

But no one had said a thing to her. Carlos had done it so quietly. He was as crafty as he was powerful.

But why did he buy the apartment for her? What did it mean?

She had to know, it was really eating her. So she called him up and asked, "Why did you buy my apartment, old man?"

Carlos smiled and donned his wireless Bluetooth earbuds. "I bought an apartment for my daughter's mom. When my daughter grows up, she'll have a place to stay if she visits her mom. That's all."

"I don't need—"

"It's not for you. It's for my kid," Carlos interrupted firmly.

"But I can afford an apartment now," Debbie insisted.

"You? I said it's not for you. Think how much you'll save on rent. Buy yourself some food or clothes. But you don't have enough to support my daughter. Leave that to me." Carlos knew how much money she had, because the card she was using was issued by a bank owned by ZL Group.

"Huh? Don't be such a snob. I have several million. That's more than enough. Even people who have only tens of thousands can support a kid. Why can't I?" Debbie retorted defensively.

"Do you have the funds to buy your current apartment?"

"Um... no. But there're plenty of high-end buildings. I'll find another one."

Carlos felt resigned. "I'm only going to say this once. The apartment is for my daughter, not for you. You can't say no. Good night."

"Hey. Don't hang up on me. I'm not done yet. Hey Carlos!"

But he had already hung up. She was still irritated. She hung up and threw the phone on the couch.

Debbie looked around the apartment. It must have cost Carlos

ained her composure, she said, "Oh I knew. So what are you going to do? Are you really going to marry Stephanie?" She frowned after asking that last question. "I warned you about her. She's not the woman for you."

"Don't worry. Besides, if you want me to marry the woman who's right for me, you'll help me win Debbie back."

"Huh! She must mean a lot, if you're asking for my help." Miranda smiled. "Don't worry. I'll help you two get back together, but I'm not doing it because of you."

Carlos was stunned speechless. 'Is she really my mom? Why isn't she on my side?'

"Relax. Anything more on Megan?" Miranda asked, looking interested.

Talking about her gave Carlos a headache. "The police are still working on it. They found her diary, but it didn't help much."

Miranda didn't feel bad over Megan's death. "It broke your grandma's heart when she died. She seemed to age overnight. Now she won't leave the Buddhist shrine."

"I'll visit her when I have time in the next few days," Carlos announced. It had been too long since he set foot in New York. It was time for him to visit his grandma...and Tabitha.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The office was so quiet. Finally, Miranda's phone buzzed. She read the message and then asked, "You must have found out a lot about James. What are you going to do with him?"